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Irish Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Over €78k raised in support of young woman battling rare and aggressive tumour
Almost €80,000 has been raised to help support a young woman from Co Wexford who is in need of life-saving surgery. 22-year-old Maeve Duffy, from Gusserane, has been bravely battling a rare and aggressive tumour called a facial nerve schwannoma since she was 17. The very rare benign mass has caused 'relentless' pain, nausea, dizziness and significant hearing loss. After fighting the tumour for the past five years and exhausting every treatment available in Ireland - including radiation - and experiencing years of delays and consultations, Maeve's doctors have informed her that the tumour is inoperable here. If the tumour is not removed, her symptoms will continue to worsen, and the rare condition will prove fatal. The young woman's only option at making a full recovery is to undergo surgery at the International Neuroscience Institute in Hanover in Germany. However, the cost of this surgery is over €107,000 and as "time is critical", Maeve's family and friends have launched a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising enough money for her to undergo the life-saving surgery. A message shared on the GoFundMe page by the fundraiser's organisers states: "Our wonderful cousin Maeve Duffy is 22, and for the past five years has been bravely battling a rare and aggressive tumour called a facial nerve schwannoma. Maeve is now in urgent need of life-saving surgery. "After exhausting every treatment available in Ireland — including radiation and years of delays and consultations — her doctors have told her that the tumour is inoperable here. Meanwhile, Maeve lives with relentless pain, nausea, dizziness, and significant hearing loss. Despite everything, she remains her kind, funny, and fiercely-determined self. "But there is hope. Specialists at the International Neuroscience Institute in Hanover, Germany, renowned for treating complex cases like Maeve's, can help. Their surgical team has the expertise to give Maeve a real chance at recovery. But the cost of this surgery is over €107,000, and time is critical. "We're doing everything we can to raise the funds to get Maeve to Germany for this life-changing surgery. If you're able to donate — no matter how big or small — it would mean the world to Maeve and all of us who love her." The GoFundMe page was set up on June 19 and has already raised over €78,000 of its €117,525 goal, with the fundraiser's organisers saying they have "been blown away by the generosity" of those who have made a donation. "Hi everyone, we just wanted to say the biggest, most heartfelt thank you from Maeve, Siobhán, Peter, Tom, and Aidan," the fundraiser's organisers said in a message shared on the GoFundMe page. "We've been blown away by the generosity, kind messages, and support from friends, family, and strangers. It means the world to see so many people rally around Maeve; it's been incredibly moving and uplifting during a tough time. "Your kindness is making a real difference, and we're so grateful." If you would like to make a donation, you can visit the fundraising page here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Independent
03-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wexford family launches appeal in aid of daughter fighting rare and aggressive tumour
The young Wexford woman from Gusserane has been battling a rare and aggressive tumour for five years now, a facial nerve schwannoma, and all options for the available treatments in Ireland have been exhausted, leaving Maeve with an inoperable tumour, unless she travels abroad. A GoFundMe campaign created by Maeve's cousins on June 19, has already seen donations amounting to over €62,000 as anonymous contributions of thousands of euro continue to be made. Maeve now lives with 'relentless pain, nausea, dizziness, and significant hearing loss. Despite everything, she remains her kind, funny, and fiercely determined self,' said her family in their GoFundMe for Maeve. 'But there is hope,' they continued. 'Specialists at the International Neuroscience Institute in Hanover, Germany, renowned for treating complex cases like Maeve's, can help. Their surgical team has the expertise to give Maeve a real chance at recovery,' they explained. With time being critical in increasing Maeve's success rate in the €107,000 surgery, her relatives are calling on anyone who is in a position to donate, to do so, 'no matter how big or small.' 'It would mean the world to Maeve and all of us who love her,' the family said, whilst asking those who may not be in a position to make a donation to share the fundraiser details with as many people as possible. As the donations increased, the family issued an update and said they are 'completely overwhelmed' by the support. 'We just wanted to say the biggest, most heartfelt thank you. We've been blown away by the generosity, kind messages, and support from friends, family, and strangers. It means the world to see so many people rally around Maeve; it's been incredibly moving and uplifting during a tough time,' said the family. 'Your kindness is making a real difference, and we're so grateful,' they added. Many organisations that Maeve and her family are involved with have joined in the appeal to call for donations, including sporting clubs such as Gusserane GAA and LGFA, St. Leonards FC, St Mary's Boxing Club. Support has also been shown by Maeve's secondary school, Our Lady of Lourdes. In an online statement from the school they said: We're reaching out to our school community to ask for support for one of our former students, Maeve Duffy, who is currently facing a serious health challenge...' The appeal went on to describe Maeve as 'a valued member' of the school. 'She is now showing incredible courage in the face of a very difficult time. As a community, we hope we can come together to offer support in any way we can. If you're in a position to donate or share the GoFundMe link, it would be deeply appreciated.' 'Every act of support brings Maeve closer to the treatment she needs. Thank you for your kindness and solidarity,' the school statement concluded. Maeve's fundraiser can be found online at
